Thursday, January 28, 2010

MANTEL PARTY & BITS & PIECES FROM BLONDIE'S WORLD

I am joining Beth's Mantel Party again this week because I am having such a fun time. It is really forcing me not only to find my creative side, but to find little goodies that I have bought and put away (hid), only to forget I had them. So last week I took down the Silver, Glass & White decor I had for the last party and put back up my favorite giclee paintings.And then I found these cute little bottles I bought before Christmas and had stored (hid) away in a basket. So here we have the ever coveted crown and Fleur de lis. Magical.On this side of the mantel I simply rearranged the mercury glass votives and tried to give you a better picture of one of my lamps. Everything else from last week stayed the same and so I won't bore you with pictures of the whole mantel. Oh, I am having a blast and feel like I am getting out of the rut of mindlessly decorating.I have not been up to the Lakehouse because of various engagements, but Emily went last weekend and I asked her to get some shots of the fireplace. We have no mantel and I suppose one day I will want one, but by looking at the stones, it will have to be custom made and put up. For now I enjoy decorating the stone wall (which happens to be bare right now...you might remember I took The Husbands spear gun down and hid it...wow, I do a lot of hiding things! Now it is my turn to put something up. I am thinking of a huge grapevine wreath. Very simple, no flowers or greenery because there are so many floral patterns going on in the room that you can't see.I may be cheating but instead of the mantel I am showing the hearth. i don't have a lot on it because I have never made a big effort in decorating it. It's pretty rustic and I think it might be fun to 'feminize' it a bit... To the right is the big old wood burning stove that does a fantastic job of heating up the Great Room. It is by the stairwell so the heat also goes upstairs and keeps everything very snugly.When I go to the lake next time, I will work on this hearth and maybe visit my friend Jody at the floral shop in town to see about the grapevine wreath. You might remember that she helped me with my cloche last fall. She is SO creative.

Now for those of you that are here for the Mantel Party, you can stop reading here if you wish. I am going to ramble on a bit about things that have absolutely nothing to do with mantels. Just little bits and pieces about what is going on in Blondie's world.

The Husband left for his annual Fundraiser for the Make A Wish Foundation that is held in Naples, Florida every January. How coincidental that our son Kevin is working the golf season in Naples as well. The have had dinner together a few times and golfed yesterday. Now, Kevin is a professional golfer and gives lessons as well as runs the Pro Shop. How ironic it is that The Husband bought him his first set of clubs and taught him how to golf and today they are out on the course and Kevin is giving The Husband tips! Life is full of surprises. So The Husband is having a rollicking time; today he went to a wildlife conservation area and had a bobcat cross his path fifty feet away. Just moseying along, minding it's own business. He called me and went on and on for about a half hour about this darn bobcat until I finally said (shouted), "What did you expect in a wildlife conservation, a litter of kittens?" He has a bit of fear of these things ever since he was chased buy a wild horse in a field while we were honeymooning in Hawaii. These adventures never happen to me.So when The Husband is away, what does any good blonde do? Shop, of course. Actually I took Abigail out and she reaped the rewards of my credit card and I came home with this book. I am a bit ashamed that I am still reading three other books simultaneously and had no business buying another, but it was either go in to Borders or follow Abby around Forever 21 looking at clothes that could have fit my Barbie doll. I flipped through the book and it looks incredibly funny. I watched most of the movie awhile ago but fell asleep before it was over...not because it was boring, it was late at night and it was our third movie. So I have to catch it again.

I saw this frame at Marshall's the other day and just stared and stared at it with creative thoughts running fleetingly through my head. None of them turned into anything firm so I left without it. I continued to have those fleeting thoughts (actually, all my thoughts seem to be fleeting), and so I went back for it yesterday. I want to fill the four spaces with something vintagy and I think once I take a trip to Michael's, my ideas will come together. Don't you love the frame?

Emily, Abby and myself are having quite a wonderful girls week here. We are taking turns cooking every night and it's really quite interesting since neither of them can cook to save their lives. Last night Emily made Chicken Parmesan and she bought bread sticks and made a dipping sauce with a Parmesan garlic vinaigrette by Giada De Laurentiis. She has a line of products at Target and I can tell you that I was impressed with the vinaigrette. Tonight is Abby's night to cook, so I think I will fast all day and have no problem getting down whatever she makes...

So that is what is going on my life. As always, I say I am going to post more often so I am not so lengthy, but time gets in the way. I'll do my best. Thanks for coming by!

Hi Jane, your mantel looks sooo pretty, but I am in love with your stone fireplace at your lake home! It is gorgeous! Sounds like you and the girls are having a fun time... wow! I would have loved to see that bobcat your hubby saw, you know me and animals! The dinners sound delish too... I also start reading a new book before I finish my last one... oh well.. makes things interesting... thanks for reminding me how you came across Idyllhours! That was cute! xoxo Julie Marie

I wish I had a mantel so I could have fun playing too! Next house:>)It sounds like you are having a good time with your girls, I wish mine were home from school. My youngest was planning on coming home this weekend but got put on the work schedule. I may not see her until March. The frame is intriguing, I will be watching to see what you put in it. There must be a million things that would look good in those spaces. Have a great weekend Jane!

You made me laugh with the "what did you expect kittens" comment. I mean that was a good one!!!! Glad you & the girls are having fun. It is nice when the boys go away & we can eat whatever we want & have control of the remote!!!!! LOVE the rock fireplace at the lakehouse. I can just visualize a THICK BIG HUGE HUED MANTLE! LOVE IT! And so glad you mentioned the woodburning stove. I have found a vintage one in an Antique shop that I am contimplating purchasing. We don't have the perfect spot for it but, when we do I know I won't find one this pretty for this price. Talk about hiding something Jane (you goodies for the mantle, his toy... you talked about hiding) imagine hiding a black cast iron wood burning stove!!!! Have a wonderful week & stay warm! HUGS! Charlene

Hi Jane - very pretty mantel! How about a pinecone and acorn wreath at the lake house? I love the look of polished acorns.It sounds as though you've had a lovely time with the girls - we all need that sort of girl time once in a while, don't we?

You lucky duck, what a gorgeous stone fireplace. As if the one in your main house isn't fabulous enough. Love the glass bottles, too. My mom read Julie & Julia. She was not impressed. It's unfortunately much grittier than the toned down movie version. You asked about the cowhide - I was gonna put it on the floor, but after studying those HB pics, I want to go back for it and put it on the sofa.

I love those pretty little bottles too. I'm on the lookout for some of them that are not too expensive.

Sounds like you girls are going to have a great weekend. My son and I were supposed to fly to Chicago tomorrow. We are having an ice storm here right now and the airport is closed. Not feeling too confident that our trip will happen. Oh well. :) I made a chocolate cake today to console us.

Jane I love the stone fireplace at the lake house WOW!! it took some time to do all that wonderful stone work..I'm so glad your enjoying the girls and watching movies and just reading and eating sounds like lots of fun to me...Loved seeing your mantle again you always do a pretty job on it...Hope all is well in your world my friend...Hugs and smiles to you Jane, Gl♥ria

First, your mantel is beautiful! You need Carpenter Robert at the lake house to build you a mantle, Jane! I also love the frame. I am laughing and scaring the dogs on my lap over The Husband's former run-in with the wild horse. Now that's a honeymoon to remember! You girls have fun now. That movie was great. And I'm not even much of a movie watcher.Brenda

your mantel is beautiful - those bottles are stunning! and i just love your lake home fireplace! it's amazing! i have to say, i am very jealous that your husband crossed paths with a bobcat. i hope he got a picture and you will post it! i love to see wildlife, and have never seen a bobcat!

OMG you are so funny...a litter of kittens. Ha Ha And being chased by a wild horse, my husband once tried to pet a horse that had a huge sign near it saying 'HORSE BITES'. I never saw him move so quick after the attempted pet.LOL I lauged so hard! Guys are so funny:) Your mantel looks pretty. I love the bottles you took out of hiding;)~DebraBlog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Hi, Janie, I like what you did with the mantle and what you are going to do with the area on the stone fireplace... the grapevine will look good there. :-)

I went out goofing today. Had to pick up a piece of furniture I found, had to run to the cleaners, dropped in a consignment shop, and then went to the fabric store. Now I'm home. Came back empty handed for the most part except for chicken salad I bought for lunch! YUM!

That stone fireplace is awesome! I had to laugh at the Forever 21 line. I feel like I'm ancient every time I walk into that store with my daughter. I do love all the colors and kirky styles. Oh to be 21 again! That frame is awesome. I saw some bookplates at Pottery Barn today that were very vintagy looking. Maybe bookplates would be too small...fireplace matches covers...still small? I'm guessing a 4X6 opening times 4?

I've been meaning to see Julie and Julia forever now (and I suppose I should read the book, too)... but it just seems that since becoming a parent (and continuing to be one to a young, active boy) leaves me completely exhausted and unable to commit to anything as lengthy as a movie. Sigh. I am certain I will have time for those again at some point in my life, though. :)

Hi Jane,Your funny girl! I am one of the few here who can hear your voice when I read your blog, which is very cool indeed! That stone fireplace is awesome and I think Dan and I need to come over this summer so he can build you a mantel! Sounds like your having a fun girls week at home, my daughter always wants to spend her free time with friends. Although, she will go shopping with me when I'm buying! Are you freezing there? We only got up to 6 degrees today. Yikes, I wish I was in Florida too! Hugs, Cindy

What fun to try and decide just what to do with your Home at the Lake. And you sure were funny with your comment about forever 21, that is so true no way I can Shop there, I would prefer going to Borders. Hugs & Kisses, Diane

Jane, this is such a great post-full of news, decorating ideas and funny stories all with your usual warmth and good humor!

Thanks for introducing me to the mantel party too. I am still working on the sideboard but as soon as I'm done I will join the fun!

Thanks for visiting and for your beautiful comments. I must tell you that my mum doesn't have a blog and normally only reads mine but she asked for a few suggestions of some others to read and yours was at the top of my list!

Love the bottles on the mantle Jane, they are beautiful. And that stone fireplace is to die for! I love the idea of a grapevine wreath, that would be perfect. Sounds like you're having a fun girls week, the "barbie doll" line just cracked me up. I would have been in the bookstore too. Have a wonderful weekend. Kathy (oh, an I'm so jealous that your husband got to see a bobcat that close!)

Jane, I love those bottles with the fluer de lis and the crown. I must be the only person in Blogville who doesn't have any mercury glass. I've got to get some. Those look so pretty on your mantle. Loved your story about your husband and the bobcat! Sounds like you and the girls are having a great time! I do really like that frame you got, and I can't wait to see what you put in it. I do hope you will participate in my V'tine party. laurie

Your creative side is very impressive. The mantel is very pretty. Your relationship with your husband sounds great. Enjoy every minute of your time with him.Sounds like you are having a mother's dream week with your girls. You go girl.HugzFrances

And your lake house fireplace is so great. It has so much character, it doesn't need a lot of "decoration."

Enjoy the rest of your girl's week time. :-)

And thank you for your idea of making use of a washable Pink marker! To Pink-up the wisp of hair, which is part of my pixie hair cut. Just on one side. ,-) Of course I will take pictures, when I do it.

Jane your post is sooo funny. Your hubby sounds like a great guy and I love the bobcat story! I read it to my hubby! Hahaha....I have been chased by a couple of our rams when I unfortunately had to get in the pen to move a lamb....not fun...they love to knock you down!So I can relate to your poor hubby but oh the stories he will tell to everyone when he gets back!!!! You will probably here it a few times...big smile! hahahahaHow neat about your son and the golfing. Your hubby and you should be sooo proud! Hope your day is blessed.Debbie

Thanks so much for linking up :). I'm so glad to hear that you're having fun with it. That stone fireplace is gorgeous and in the future, just so you know, hearths totally count too! Any flat decorated surface can pretend to be a mantel :).

I adore your mantle and how you have decorated it. Lovely. The stone fireplace-omg, I love it. Change nothing. Isn't it funny how life changes things around. I am so happy your hubs was able to see your son and get tips from him. Life has come full circle now.

It sounds like the girls have been having fun. Your shopping was successful-great frame. I know you will do it proud.

I am doing the countdown now. Can't wait for Jeff and the ladies to arrive. That will make my year.

I love those bottles with the crown and fleur toppers, Jane! I've started searching out places in my house, too. I'm sure there is stuff stashed just about everywhere between getting ready to go on the market and then Christmas. Hopefully, I'll have a link-up for next week's mantel party.

Hi JaneI have had so much fun reading and chuckling with your post.I love your hearth...beautiful!! and I love the story of poor hubby and the big "kitty" he encountered while golfing. It sounds like you are doing just fine this week anyway...and I can't wait to see what you do with that frame. It is gorgeous and something vintage in it would be great! Take pics when you are done.

Reading and collecting new books should be done when the mood hits one...*s*..enjoy.

Chicken parmesan....we haven't had that for a while and could be one in our menu this weekend.

Have a super weekend...enjoy time with your daughter...and oh dear I was just thinking your hubby encountered a wild horse while on your honeymoon? That could have really ended badly...*g*..

I'm still lovin' what your doing with your mantel and now the hearth at the Lakehouse just opens up all kinds of possibilities. I love the smooth stones you have, they will be so much easier to feminize than the jagged, protruding rocks the former owner of house put in. They are awful and belong in a hunting lodge somewhere. Hey, maybe they'll take my rocks and then you can send that spear gun to them as well! lol

lol, All in a days work Jane, you have had a busy week, your painting and glass have a very pretty and vintage feel, the grapevine will look beautiful in your lake house. Your hubby is so funny to relay all his adventures :-) and must be so proud of your son and while the lads are away, the girls will play (our moto too lol). loved that movie, have a great time shopping and cooking with your girls. hugs, Kathy.

Hello dear one,I LOVE your mantle decor ~ each time I see something else I need. :-) I hope that you can finish Julie & Julia. It's a movie that I'd like to have as a keeper, I loved it so. I totally understand about the books! I usually have 3-4 going at once and it is an addiction for me...books, music, candles, movies, you name it. :-)

I so miss visiting everyone's blogs! I cannot wait until my computer is up and running. Just had a minute to check in ~

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! Your blog is so, so cute! I'm convinced I'm going to have a fabulous time rummaging around here. :) Oh, and I love your lakehouse "hearth". What a cozy little escape!

Jane, I am soooo in love with the fireplace at the lake home. I love it as it is now. It looks so inviting. Thanks so much for stopping by today. I have been here to look for posts...:-) It was worth the wait. Inspiration is much needed for mantels. I am so awful when trying to do my little teeny Vermont one. (Dallas fireplace was layer upon layer of molding and BIG! of course. LOL!)

Having just girls for a few days must be fun. I so miss shopping civilization. My things are here, my mind is still in Dallas or Winter Park (Orlando) and it is not until I peek up from the computer that the realty is seen.

I don't think you should feel the least bit guilty about reading three books at a time and buying another. Books are the best kind of investment! I'm never happier than when my girls come home for a visit and we can have girl time. I know how your husband feels...I was at a lodge in Mammouth and I came within four feet of a bear. I was minding my own business and this bear came up on the deck of the hotel I was staying at and scared the bajeesus out of me! I got up and ran back into the hotel escaping with my life!

I like your bottles that you hid and found, lol. I really like the tops and I love your stone fireplace. I can't wait to see what you do to it.Oh BTW, I forgot to answer your inquiry about what's in my Sevres casket. LOL! I have 1 or 2 light bulb replacementS for the astral lamp....Christine

Hi Blondie! I love your post!! Your mantel is gorgeous!!! And I am dying over that fabulous fireplace, what a beauty!! Your home is stunning. How wonderful of your husband to go to such a wonderful fundraiser! I am with you, when hubby is out of town, I shop!!! And that is just what is going on today, lol!!!! Beautiful post!Hugs,Amy

Jane, you've been having a blast "shopping the house" recently, what neat things you hide at your house!

I am so drawn to the fireplace at your lake house. On this snowy day here in NC I can picture myself curled up with a book and a cup of tea toasting my toes by the fire. It's beautiful just as it is, but it would be fun to see the photos if you do put a mantel in some day.

Jane - the mantle is so pretty - what a fun time getting things out that you haven't seen in a while...we might have to try that out! Love the story about your son & husband...makes me think about how many times I wonder what our kids will do/be when they grow up! Sounds like you are having a lot of girl fun....always great to have some of that time in life! I've never read Julie's book, but I have most of Julia's My Life in France read...maybe this will be my next book (like you, I have 4 more in front of that then!!)Have a great week!

Feel like I've just had a nice little chat with you after reading your post. I adore your stone fireplace and like your idea of keeping it rustic looking with a grapevine wreath. I bought a feather wreath at Jo-Ann's to go over my fireplace and really like it. Love your new frame too. Sounds like you've had a great week!

I love the stone fireplace at your lake cottage. It just looks like it belongs at a lake house. I bet you are anxiously waiting for a little warmer weather to spend some wonderful days there.Your mantel looks fabulous.....looks like you are having fun changing it out.Jane

And with that date coming, may I offer a bit of "Auntie Advice"? :-) Take on the duty-to-self, of being very aware of all phases of your health. You are empty-nesting now and perhaps searching for new interests/direction...

I don't usually say such, at the time of people's mid Birthday. Instead I just keep it to myself... But with you, I'm changing that tack. I've seen [personally, and with many other women] things come along and blind-side them, around this time of life. I wish that someone had told me to, "get with the self-care program." Now I wish I'd told others, the same thing.

But......... Saying such, isn't always accepted, with joy, by other women. ,-) With lots of them, it's best to keep one's thoughts to one's self. But you are an open gal and I don't fear that you'll be irritated at me, for saying this.

And even if you are irritated at me, I'll handle it. :-) You're a Sweetie, and I want you to sail along, smoothly... Into and through another 50!!!

But to do this, we need to get serious about our own health issues, at this mid point. Go for it! Make the next 50, as super healthy and enjoy them, as much as is humanly possible!!!

HI JaneLove all your glassware and would love to have not just a mantel but fireplace too!! I always think a fireplace brings a sense of coziness to a room!!

Well I still haven't seen Julie & Julia... it is out here now but hasn't come to DVD yet and I never seem to get to the movies lately.. so .. glad you didn't tell me the ending [ha ha just joking!!]. Well hope you enjoyed the rest of your girls week... xx Julie

I understand being busy, trust me! LOL Your mantel looks beautiful and I love your stone fireplace. My mom had one like that at our ranch when I was a kid and she had a railroad tie put up for a mantel.

Hi Jane,I love the fireplace at your Lakehouse. How warm and inviting it looks. Thank you for visiting my new blog and I am so happy to have found yours. Even though I am now living in Idaho, I am still a Midwest girl at heart. I'll be back to visit again soon!Love,Susan and Bentleyxxoo

I love the mantel, and oooh that stone fireplace, it is SO cozy. I think it would look awesome with a mantel one day, a nice big log one I would think ;)I tried reading that book but couldn't get in to it, I knew I would like the movie so I gave up with the book and just rented the dvd. :)Hope you're having a great weekend.

that stone fireplace is to die for!!!! No need to put up a mantle at all. When you go to the lake next time think about getting a huge pottery face and just fill it with bare branches from the yard (maybe spray them white) and put that on the hearth. Yeah, that would work...( in my humble opinion). Love the bottles on the home mantle too.

That's so neat about husband and son and golf. Bobby G. is really into fishing and taught the boys but they really never showed much interest until after college. Now one son actually is in a fishing club and does tournament weekends etc. And when they come home of course fishing is what they do. It's great!

Hi Jane! I love your new mantel look! And that big stone fireplace at your lake place is wonderful! It sounds like you are having fun with the girls! As for the wreath...yes, I noticed that it really didn't say what to do, so I just twisted them together. It really didn't matter too much how it looked in the end because it got covered up. Are you going to show us your result? I thought it was so easy and inexpensive and looks like it cost way more than it did! Happy weekend...hugs...Debbie

Your mantle is lovely. Oh, but that fireplace at the lake house is so cozy. I love the hearth and that stone is gorgeous. I think this mantle party is a wonderful way to be inspired. I love how you matched those votives to the painting in the background. It looks lovely. I have to join this soon, I love creating new ways to display things on my mantles. I have one in my dining room and one in my family room. Thanks for the inspiration, you are always up to something wonderful.Karen

Wettervorhersage is a set of all the phenomena occurring in a given atmosphere at a given time. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. weather conditions refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity, whereas climate is the term for the average atmospheric conditions over longer periods of time. When used without qualification, "weather" is understood to be the weather of Earth.

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My blog is dedicated with much love to my late sister, Leslie, who lost her battle with cancer on November 27, 2007. I will always treasure precious memories of her in my heart. I miss her big smile, her laugh, great sense of humor and warmth. She was so creative and always encouraged the same from me. Leslie called me unique and I thank her for that, it made me move forward when I faltered. I think of her very, very often and miss her immensely. I hope I'm making her proud.

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Hi! My husband gave me the name Blondie a long time ago & it has stuck! I am a Midwestern girl but I now live in a quiet & beautiful neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. I adore my husband and four children, two boys, two girls.
I enjoy gardening, reading, cooking, antiquing, decorating and needlework crafts. I love decorating in a cottage sort of style but it's fun to mix it up a little!.
I currently work writing columns for two newspapers. I love creating essays about life in the city and country. And I've enjoyed blogging about the same for 9 years!
We have a year round home in the country on a huge lake in Southwest Michigan where I am always busy renovating, decorating, cooking, entertaining & relaxing! We also have a little place in the mountains of North Carolina. Life is good! I hope you will follow along on my adventures!

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